Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

our vision for the region southern minnesota will be a prosperous and growing region with vibrant communities, innovative and successful economies, and engaged and valued citizens. our mission southern minnesota initiative foundation is a regional development and philanthropic organization that fosters economic and community vitality in 20 counties of southern minnesota through a culture of collaboration and partnership. services smif serves 20 counties in southern minnesota. through generous donations and collaboration we: - provide loans to businesses that create and support jobs. - award early childhood and community grants to schools, governments, and nonprofit organizations. - build partnerships that lead to collaboration. - support and manage local community foundations. - help others give back to their communities. history the six minnesota initiative foundations (mifs) were created by the mcknight foundation in reaction to the 1986 farm crisis, the worst recession since the gre